Escapism isn't a dirty word

In defense of TV, plus this week's 5 Pretty/Ugly things

There’s something I’ve noticed popping up in mainstream feminist discourse that’s been low-key bugging me for months now. It’s the notion of “numbing.”

When coping with systemic inequity, mainstream discourse says, women are prone to numbing their rage, frustration, exhaustion, and hopelessness with a variety of behaviors. Wine mommy culture (bad), MLM culture (bad), and hustle culture (bad) are all forms of numbing I completely agree are counterintuitive and end up further depleting an already depleted person.

In this “numbing is bad and prevents women from resisting oppression” genre of feminist writing, I frequently see TV (and “junk” food and gossip) targeted as wastes of time at best and impediments to a life well lived at worst. I object!

Gossip is an invaluable social mechanism that can serve as protection against oppressive forces and also foster intimacy and strengthen bonds. “Junk” food is not a real category and only functions as a way to demonize some lives and uphold others as morally exemplary. So hell yeah to gossip and Cheezits. Today though, I’m here in defense of TV.